Mining machine



- 1 641 118 Oct. 25, 1927. HOLMES v MINING MACHINE v Filed April 8. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet];

M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Oct. 25, 1927.-

4 Sheets-Sha e; 2

Filed April 8. 1924 1,647,118 Oct. 25, 1927. M. P- HOLMES v 1 MINING MACHINE Filed April 8. 1924 4 Sh89tS-Sh66t 5 5 1 11 M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1924 Oct. 25 1927.

{Sheets-Sheet 4 Inveni r' 7710 29 ai y.

3:; of the machine.

Patented Oct. 25, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,647,118 PATENT oF FIiCIE.

MORRIS PJI-IOLMES, CLAEEMONT, NEW HAIYIPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR 'I'O SULLIVAN MA- CHIILSIERY- COMPANY, A G ORPQRATION OF -MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING MACHINE.

Application filed April 8, 1924. Serial No. 705,089.

My invention relates to mining machines.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved mining machine. Another object of my invention is to provide an 1mproved,,mining machine of very compact construction especially adapted to use 111 low-vein work. ,A further and more specific object of my invention is to provide an 1mproved mining machine having improved motor fluid supply connections, improved cutting mechanism controlling mechanism,

improved cutting mechanism swinging and positioning means, improved feed controlling mechanism, and an improved arrangement 5 for the feed operating member and guiding members for the flexible feeding member. vThese and other objects and advantages of my improvements will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partially broken away to facilitate illustration, of a mln ng -macliine incorporating my improved mechanism, the cutter bar being illustrated in different operative positions. I

Fig. 2 is av side elevation of the n'nning machine shown in Fig.1, a part of the frame being broken away.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view,.p art1ally in section, of the cutterv bar carrying end Fig. 4- is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on line 4l of Fig.3.

-Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 5+5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 3, showing a portion of my improved lubricating mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional View taken substantially on line '77 of Fig. 4, showing'the 4 5 bar locking mechanism.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged end elevation of the feeding end of the machine.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken ihstantially on lines 99 of Figs. 1 and 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional View of my improved cutter chain controlling mechanism. v

11 is a detail elevational view, partially in section, of the portion ofthe mechanisrn shcwnin Fig. 10.

after described. also provided with longitudinally extending shafts 13 and 14 suitably journaled within Fig. ;12 is a plan view of the portion ofthe feeding end of the machine, partially broken away to facilitate illustration.

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 1813 of Fig. 12.

Figs. 14 and 15 are detail views of; my improved feeding controlling mechanism.

.Fig. 16v is a transverse section taken sub stantially on line 1616 of Fig. 15.

In this illustrative form of my invention,

I have shown my improvements applied to an air-propelled flexibly fed mining machine of the same general type as that described and claimed ininy ,co-pending application, 'Ser. 1 0. 019,839, filed Feb. 19, 1923, the mining machine,'generally designated 1, being of the long wall type adapted to slide on, its ownbottom and having an elongated frame 2 presenting parallel plane surfaces 3 and 4 upon' which the machine is selectively adapted to slide during cutting,.that is, when the machine is being used as an under cutter or an over cutter, and carrying at oneend a cutter bar 5 pivoted on avertical axis 6 on the rear end of the machine frame. Themining machine is also herein adapted-to be moved longitudinally along the face relativeto a flexiblefeeding means of any suitable form, herein including a flexiblefeeding member or chain adapted tocooperate through improved mechanism, hereinafter described, with a feed operating member-or sprocket 8 rotatable on a longitudinal-ly extending horizontal axis on the front end of the machine frame. I Disposed intermediate and suitably secured to the frame portionsinclosing the feeding mecha- 11, of a well known form, to which pressure fluid is adaptedto besupplied through an improved detachable connection 12 herein- The rotors 10 and 11 are the casing of the motor and provided with reduced end portions 15 and 16 having keyed theretoidentical but reversely disposed long sleeved pinions 17 and 18, of which the pin- .ion v17, disposed at the end of the reduced portion 15 on'the shaft of the rotor 10. is held in position by keying and a suitable lock nut connection 19, while the pinion 18 til) is similarly fixed to the shaft of the rotor 11, the pinions 17 and 18 thus rotating in parallel but in longitudinally spaced tran verse planes. Selectively cooperating with these pinions 17 and 18 is an adjustable pinion 20 disposed on a longitudinally extending shaft 21 disposed between and parallel with the rotor shafts and suitably journaled within the machine frame. As illus trated, this pinion 20 is provided with a clutch shipper ring 22 formed thereon adapted to be engaged by a horizontally .disposed U-shaped clutch shipper 23 pivoted on a vertical axis 24 on the machine frame and having improved controlling mechanism therefor.

This improved controlling mechanism comprises an operating member 25 having a transversely extending pin 26 adapted to be grasped by the operator and which secures the operating member 25 to a cylindrical member 27 arranged within a bore 28 formed in the machine frame. This member 27 is provided with an axial internal bore 29 in which a member 30 is disposed which is provided with an upstanding bifurcated portion 31 adapted to engage a vertically disposed pin 32 suitably carried by a portion 33 formed integral with the shipper member 23. The opposite side of the frame is provided with a bore 3 1, similar to the bore 28, in which a flanged bushing 35 is disposed and held in position therein by a radially expanding split ring 36. This bushing member 35 is provided with a bore 37, similar to the bore 29, in which a cylindrical member 38 having an upstanding portion formed thereon is disposed, the member 38 and the member 30 being connected together by a transversely disposed horizontal rod 39. It will herein be noted that the member 2'? is provided with an inclined slot or cam surface which is adapted to engage a radially extending pin 41 suitably secured to the member 30. It is obvious that rotating the operating member 25 in a counter-clock-wise direction, the inclined surface of the slot or cam 10 will act on the pin ll causing the member 30 to be moved inwardly and swing the shipper member 23 about its pivot 21, thereby causing the pin ion 20 to engage the pinion 17 which in turn causes the shaft 21 to be rotated by the rotor 10. By rotating the member 25 in a. clockwise direction the shipper 23 will be swung in an opposite direction thereby causing the pinion 20 to be released from the pinion 17 and to be engaged with the pinion 18, consequently causing the shaft 21 to be rotated by the rotor 11 in a reverse direction. The member 38 is provided with a diametrically disposed bore 42 in which a spring pressed ball 43 is disposed adjusted by a suitable follower and which is adapted to engage annular spaced grooves 4-1 formed in the walls of the bore 37 and thereby position the shipper 23 in either of its operative positions or in its central position. Obviously by trans posing the parts to the opposite side of the machine the clutch shipper 23 may be operated from the opposite side of the machine thereby enabling the clutch to be operated when the sides of the machine frame are selectively disposed adjacent a face.

Secured to the shaft 21 is a bevel pinion 45 which meshes with bevel gear #16 suitably journaled on a vertical axis 17 and to which a spur pinion 418 is suitably secured, which in turn meshes with a spur pinion 4C9 suitably journale-d coaxially with respect to the bar pivot 6 and with which a cutter chain sprocket is rotatable, the latter being driven by one or the other of the rotors 10 and 11 in opposite directions as circumstances require, and cooperating with an endless cutter chain 50 adapted to be circulated about the cutter bar 5.

Pressure fluid is adapted to be admitted to the motor 9 through a hose connection 51, from any suitable source of supply, this hose connection being secured to the member 12 by means of a threaded connection 52, and communicating with a passage 53 formed in the member 12 and with a passage 54k formed in a substantially U-shaped manifold inember 55, the passage 5& communicating with a longitudinally extending passage 56 which communicates with the inlet of the motor 9. As illustrated, the passage 54 is branched and communicates with the opposite side of the machine frame so that the connection 12 may be reversely disposed on the opposite side of the machine frame whenever cesired. Herein it will also be noted that acover plate 57 is attached by screws 58 over the unused side of the passage 54 through which the passage 53 would communicate, it being understood that the connection 12 is also suitably drilled to receive similar bolts 58. It is also to be understood that both branches of the passage 54 communicate with. the passage 56 and consequently with the inlet of the motor. The member 12 is herein also provided with a chamber 59 which is adapted to be supplied with lubricant by means of the removable filler plug 60. Formed in the walls of this chamber is also a vertical bore 61 in which a valve 62 is disposed which is provided with vertically spaced ports 63 and 64ladapted to register with ports 65 and 66 formed in the member 12, and which is also provided with a manual controlling handle 67. Pressure fluid is thus adapted to pass from the passage 53 through the ports 65 and 63 forcingthe oil from the chamber 59 through the ports 64 and 66 into the passage 53 which permits the pressure fluid to mix therewith to lubricate the moving-parts of the motor and cooperating parts. W hen the connection 12 is transferred-to the oppo- "toibe 'swung"about its axis 6 by means of the fiexible feedin'g member or chainT. The

'cutter bar isprOVidedyVith an upstanding boss 69rgrooved at 70' to overl1e,-'and 1f -nec essary to be *supported on, a flanged portion 71formed integral with the machine frame 2, -'to:imaintai-n theiba'r in the'desired plane of swing. .-A rotatable lockingpin 721M130 "seated in iabore 73 formed inthe boss 69 and is provided With a removableannular flange $4" on its lower. end, seated in a. larger bored out portion 75, formed 1n the bar 5, in-such Fa manneras to prevent longitudinal separation ofthe p1n72 when the mach1ne1s-d1sposed-on the .plane surface 4;,- 'as during over cutting, 'wvhi'le permitting free rotation thereof. Herein it Will ben-oted that the pin 72 is :cut aWayor-slotted, as at 76, transversely intermedlate its ends in such a-ma'nne'r as to forn'ra: locking portion '77 adapted .to be re ceived. in any one of a plurality of corre Esponding cut: away portions '78, formed in Inn the-flange 71. XV-hen thefpi-n' is suitably rotat'ed; these cut: away portions 4 78, are herein-sodisposed on-thefla'n'ge 71 as toenable thebar'to be manually locked in longitudinal "and in-opposite lateralposltions. -Moreo'ver it 'w'vill be noted that the;.pin 72 carrieson its uppe1' -end *acoaxially disposed .pin 794ming a hexagon v shaped portion .1 formed thereonso as} to permit manual adj ustment thereof. This pin is adapted to receive one :end -of a curved double ended hook 81 adapted to be connected to either free end of. the flexible feed member "7, the construction being such that a pull up- OIh'bhG lfihfGf-il'lld thepin 72 Will-swing the fcutter bar 5 about I its pivotthe desired pull .hereinzbeing obtained by operation' o'f the feed operating member'S. Herein it Will also be noted'thatlhave provided improved means for positioning the locking pin 72 which comprises-a grooved orcut away portion 82 formed in an annular-flangedzportion 83-onthe upper end? 'of't hepin, the ends of --Whi0h groove are-adapted to enga ge'an upstanding-pin 8 1 carried' by t-l1eboss 69in its d itf erent positions; thereby. preventing excessive rotation ofthe pin'a-nd the consequent release of the lock.

til

The opposite ends of-thes'hafts18and 14 of the rotors 1O andllareiprovided With reduced portions 85 =and'86v the portion 85 having apinion 87 keyed theretoasat 88, said pinion being adapted to:mesh witha Zn ear 89 .Which drives, through a mechanism:

Which is disclosedinmy co-pendingapplication-mentioned above, the feedioperati-ng 1 rating member 8 is rotatable'with a lon member 8 opposite directions at fast and 'tional j controlling 1 device, gg'enerall c'le's. ighated 91 and 92, these devices being adapted tobef alternativelyZplacedoperation hy m'y 'improved shipper mechanism -to be" no'w described and thereby oonnectingthe" feed-opslow speeds. It will 'herei n be noted that 'the pinion 87 ma be removed from the portion' 85 of the rotorshaft;13-"an'dp1aced"on the reduced portion 86"of therotor shaft-14, thereby oauslng the geari 89 tobe' rotated in an opposite direction, consequently reversing the direction'of the'rotationof the feed op- .e'rati'ngn'i-ember 8. A sleeve member 9Ofis also 'alac'ed"on the unused endo'f' the "rotor shaft.

i In 5 describing m jimprove d i feedin controlling "mechanism it will be noted that the fast-"and :s1ow speed mechanism for the: feed o erating "member 8 isprovided with a i frice'rating member with the SIOW r-faStsp-eed. Pivoted onvertioal axes-'93 ancl 94 -are--clutol1 shippers 95an'd' 96' of u fonn -proind-ed with rollers 97' and 98 adapted to engage the disklike-outer surfacesof the clutch operating members 99 and 100 of the friction dev'ices.

Moreover, it will be noted that'these clutch shippers are provided with extensions 1'01 'and l02 'extending radially into lateral ape'rtures 103 and 104 -=for1ned-"in 'r ing-li'ke portio-ns 105 and 106 carried 'Within'the machine frame. :Th'ese extensions 101 and 102 are provided'with rectangular shaped portions -107and 108'w'hich "register n ith slot's or grooves 109 and 110' formed in p'ara'llel sl i d- *in'gly' en 'gageable rods I 111 11 2 suitably "guided in the" machine frame at its opposite ends as at 113. -Tl'1ese rods :aregroeved or 'dinal movement E thereof and are provided with annular semi-circular portions 116 and *117 which are prOV'ided With-threads of opposite pitch with which an annularfnut member 118, provided with both right and left hand; internal threads, cooperates] this 'memb'er being "split and clamped thereto by bolt 'aiidnut connections as at 119 and provided at its outer end "with an operating handle 120 carried on the front end of the machine frame. It-will be observed" that L by rotating the handle 120 the threaded 'n ut 118,

engaging the threads formed on the rods 111 and 112. Will cause the latter-to move in "opposite directions thereby swinging the shipper memb-ers' 95 and 96 abouttheir pivots inopposite-directions and causing one of the friction mechanisms to be "released thereto'is also a handle 121rotatableto control the pressure I fluid supplyto the inlet of the motor 9.

'It will-hereinbe 'noted that theffe'ed opshown.

gitudinally extending shaft 122 (see Fig. 9) suitably journaled in longitudinally spaced roller bearings 123 and 12 1 and to which shaft an internal gear 125 is keyed, at 126, which is adapted to'be driven by certain elements of the feeding mechanism as described in my co -pending application. As illustrated, a guiding member or sprocket 127 is mounted on a vertical axis, in the form of a stud 128 closely adjacent the feed operating member 8 and slightly in the rear of the same and above the axis thereof,

the sprocket 127 being disposed in such a position that the feed chain 7, laterally passing ofi of the upper side of the feed sprocket 3, may'pa'ss around the outer side of the guide 127. Asimilar guide sprocket 129 is similarly mounted on the opposite side of the feed operating member 8 in the same general location. It will also be noted that adjacent each of these members 127 and 129, and herein in transverse horizontalalino ment therewith, external or corner guides 130 and 131 are mounted, the same prefer ably extending slightly beyond the lateral edges of the machine frames and slightly in the rear of the members 127 and 129 as It will also be noted that guide sprockets 132, 133, 134eand 185, similar to the guide sprockets 127, 129, 130 and 131,. are disposed coaxially th-erewithin a transverse horizontal plane below the axis of tie feed operating member 8, the feed operating member being disposed adjacent the front end of the machine frame. Thus due to this arrangement and location-of the feed operating and guiding elements free access may be readily had to the feed operating and guiding elements to permit the change of the arrangement of the flexible feeding member 7 relative thereto with facility as desired. 7

While I have in this application specifically described one form which my'invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may-be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 'Patent is 1. In a mining machine, a frame having a feed operating member thereon adapted to cooperate with a flexible feeding element and rotatable on an axis extending longitudinally of eai d frame.

ing members on, opposite sides thereof simultaneously. v r i 2. in a mining machine, a frame having a feed operating member thereon adapted to cooperate with a flexible feeding element and rotatable on an axis extending longitudinally of the machine, and cooperating guiding mechanism including a plurality of coaxial a feed operatinginember rotatable on an axis extending longitudinally of the machine, and guiding mechanism at'each' side of said feed operating member disposed on vertical axes and in horizontal planes parallel to and above and below the axis of said feed op erating member within the bounding limits 4. 1:11 a mining machine, a frame having a feed operating member thereon adapted to co, aerate with aflexible feeding element and;

rotatable on an axis extending longitudinally of the machine, and cooperating gu ding mechanism including coaxially disposed spaced guiding members disposed on vertical axes on each side of the axis of said feed mechanism including a plurality of series of coaxially disposed spaced guiding members bs posed in horizontal planes above and below the axisof said feed operating member whereby a flexible feeding element may be reeved in operative engagement with said feed operating member and with guiding' members at each side thereof simultaneously 6. In a mining machine,a frame having a feed operating member thereon adapted to cooperate with a flexible feeding element and rotatable on an axis extending longitudinally of the machine, and cooperating guiding mechanism including a plurality of series of spaced rotatable guiding members having their axes parallel and disposed in horizontal planes above and below'the axis of said feed operating member and disposed in a vertical plane in the rear of the latter and wholly within the bounding limits of the frame whereby a feeding I tively stationary abutment for limiting the rotation of said locking means.

8. A mining machine having a swingable cutter bar and a flexible feeding member, and a rotatable bar locking means connected to said member and including means adapted to engage a relatively stationary abutment for limiting the rotation of said look ing means in either direction.

9. A mining machlne having a swingable cutter bar and a flexible feeding member, and

bar locking means adapted tobe connected to said member and including limiting means carried by said bar with which a portion of said bar locking means engages to limit looking and unlocking movements thereof.

10. A mining machine having a swingable cutter bar and a flexible feeding member, and bar locking means including a rotatable pin having abutments thereon and adapted to be connected to said flexible member and including limiting means carried by said bar with which said abutments are adapted to engage.

11. A mining machine having a swingable cutter bar and a flexible feeding member, a bar locking means including a rotatable pin having a cut away portion and adapted to be connected to said flexible member and limiting means for said pin carried by said bar with which the ends of said cut away portion are adapted to engage.

12. A mining machine having a swinging cutter bar, flexible feeding mean-s, rotatable bar locking means having means adapted to engage a relatively stationary abutment for limiting the rotation thereof, a hook engageable with said bar locking means, and means for connecting said flexible feeding means to said hook. I

13. In a mining machine, a feeding mechanism including a feed operating member, a plurality of friction clutch elements controlling the rotation of said feed operating member, and means for alternately applying said clutches including parallel rods and a common operating element therefor for moving the same simultaneously oppositely longitudinally.

14. In a mining machine, a feeding mech anism including a feed operating member, a plurality of friction clutches controlling the rotation of said feed operating member, and means for applying said clutches including a common rotatable operating element and operating members individual to each clutch each directly engaged by said common rotatable operating element.

15.' In a minin'gmachine, a feeding mechanism including a plurality of clutch elements, and means for alternately applying said'clutch elements including shipper mechanism, a plurality of rods cooperating there with having threaded portions formed there'- on, and a common operating means for said rods engageable with the threaded portions of each rod.

16. In a mining machine, a feeding mechanism including a plurality of clutch elements, and means for applying-said clutch elements including parallel rods having threaded portions formed thereon and a split nut connection cooperating with said threaded portions.

17. In a mining machine, a feeding mechanism including a plurality of clutch-elements, and means for applying said clutches including parallel rods and common operating means for simultaneously moving said rods in opposite directions longitudinally.

18. In a mining machine including a driving motor of the-intermeshing toothed rotor type feeding mechanism therefor including a feed operating member rotatable on an axis extending longitudinally of the machine, and transposa'ble means whereby said feed operating member may be driven from either of said rotors.

19. In a mining machine including a driving motor of the intermeshing rotor type, feeding mechanism therefor including a feed operating member rotatable on an axis extending longitudinally of the mining machine, and means connectahle to said rotors whereby said feed operating member may be driven in opposite directions at the same speed.

20 In a mining machine including a driving motor of the intermeshing helical rotor type, feeding mechanism therefor including a feed operating member axis extending longitudinally of the machine, and transposable means connectable to said rotors whereby said feed operating member may be driven in opposite directions at the same speed.

21. In a mining machine, a cutter chain driving member, and controlling mechanism rotatable on an I therefor including aclutch, rotatable cam operating said clutch including a bell crank,

and cam operated means engageable therewith including an element movable rectilinearly and engaging the bell crank and a cam for moving said element.

In a mining machine, a cutter chain driving element, and controlling mechanism therefor including a clutch, helical cam means for operating said clutch, and means for holding said cam operating means in different operative positions.

24. In a mining machine, a cutter Chain driving sprocket, and controlling mechanism therefor including a clutch, helical cam means "for operating said clutch and yieldabl-e means for holding saidcam operating means in different operative positions.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES. 

